Confectionery News

4 days ago | confectionerynews.com | Gill Hyslop

The European Commission is looking into opening a preliminary review into Mars’ planned acquisition of Kellanova. This escalation means regulators believe there is a ‘real risk’ the deal may significantly reduce competition in several key categories, including savoury snacks, breakfast foods and frozen ready-to-eat meals. From the outset, the $36 billion tie-up between Mars and Kellanova looked like a match made in snacking heaven.

2 weeks ago | confectionerynews.com | Augustus Bambridge-Sutton

Since April last year, cocoa prices have been reaching unprecedented highs. The crisis has sent industry into a tailspin, with many predicting losses due to the price of the crop. With such price increases, costs are often passed on to consumers. Has this been the case with chocolate, and if so, by how much? What is happening with cocoa prices?

2 weeks ago | confectionerynews.com | Deniz Ataman

Across the cotton candy and marshmallow categories, brands are leaning into nostalgic flavors while experimenting with unique textures, sizes and dietary positioning to stand out in the crowded sweets aisle, as shown during the Sweets & Snacks Expo last month. Trending flavors in cotton candy include berry, chocolate, strawberry, sugar, grape and raspberry – pointing to a consumer preference for both fruity and dessert-inspired profiles according to Tastewise data from the past year.

2 weeks ago | confectionerynews.com | Flora Southey

Mondelēz International is suing German retailer Aldi over private label packaging the former claims “blatantly” copies its own. Disputes over the protection of the overall look and feel of a product’s packaging - known in law as a ‘trade dress’ case - are not uncommon in the food world. But this particular case is about as high-profile as they get: a snack giant vs one of the biggest retailers in the world.

2 weeks ago | confectionerynews.com | Jess Spiring

Cocoa is in crisis. Driven by climate change, disease, speculative trading and chronic underinvestment, prices hit an unprecedented $13,000 per metric ton late last year – a spike that’s rattled the foundations of the chocolate industry. But while this surge may seem exceptional, long-term instability is becoming the new normal. “This volatility is absolutely going to continue,” said Shayna Harris, co-founder and managing partner at Supply Change Capital.